MK in France: 'Moral Responsibility to All Jews'

MK Yoni Chetboun spends a week in France promoting Aliyah and talking to government officials about upping security for French Jews.

Ido Ben Porat, Cynthia Blank, 31/10/14 13:15

Chetboun and Pupponi

Ephraim Zano

A coalition from Israel arrived in France Thursday for an Aliyah Weekend event to promote Jewish immigration to Israel, which has been on the rise spurred on by rising anti-Semitism in France.

The group included MKYoni Chetboun(Jewish Home), Rabbi Shlomo Avinerand RabbiYehuda BenYishai, the father of Ruthie Fogel who was murdered along with her husband and three young children by two Arab terrorists in Itamar.

As the Chairman of theLobby for Aliyah to IsraelfromFrance, MK Chetboun has been involved in removingbarriers toimmigration. One ofthe barrierswasrecentlysolved byIsrael'srecognition of opticians who have French academic degrees. Until recently, Israel had not made such a recognition, and these French professionals were unable to work in Israel.

Chetboun met Thursday with representatives ofgroups ofdoctors, lawyersand accountantswho wish to make Aliyah, but fear thehardships of absorptionandintegration intoIsraeliprofessional life.

Chetboun heard about thecomplexities for French Jews in making Aliyah and promised tocome up with solutionsimmediatelyupon his returnat the beginningof next week.

The MK also metwithFrancois Pupponi, a memberof the French ParliamentandMayor of Sarcelles, near Paris. Pupponi, great friend of Israeland advocate of French Jewry, also servesas ViceChairman of theParliamentary FriendshipGroup"France-Israel" andis not afraidto express his pro-Israeli positions.

A representative from the Israeli embassy was also in attendance, and all agreed for increased cooperation to protect the safety of Jews in France.

"Israel is aJewish state," said Chetboun to Pupponi, "We have amoral responsibilitytoward allJews in the world, whether they want to make Aliyah or not."

"French Jewry isZionist in its essence, lovers of Israel who are eager to make Aliyah," Chetboun continued, ''The current rise of anti-Semitism in Europe makesimmigration imperative. We are here toencourage it andallowit to grow, but we also havea moral responsibilityfor the safetyand welfare ofall the Jews inthe world."

''Unfortunately, thecurrentwave ofanti-Semitism inFranceisnothing new, butthe scope anddimensions of it are dangerous. Israel shouldmake every effortfor the welfareofJews in France. It has beenour duty for sixty-six years and we will not shirk it. "